Sustainable tourism in the comuna of Chile Chico, Patagonia National Park, Chile

Abstract

Tourism is an activity that has been developing for centuries. Among the most frequented sites are protected areas, whether parks or nature reserves. Chile Chico is a commune located in the far south of Chile and close to Patagonia National Park, where tourism has been limited by regional development. Therefore, the objective of the research was to analyze the development of sustainable tourism in this area. Tourism operators and entrepreneurs were analyzed through perception surveys using the cadastre model to obtain a clear view of tourism development in the area. An initial cadastre revealed high tourism potential, along with challenges such as access and a heterogeneous implementation of sustainable practices that contribute to local economic development. Chile Chico's potential to foster tourism development was recognized, along with the optimistic outlook of the various tourism stakeholders in the face of adversity, and the need to balance the priorities of the community, visitors, and the natural environment. Understanding this situation is crucial for designing strategies that harmonize tourism development with nature conservation and long-term community benefits.